Journalist, Broadcast
Salary

Broadcast Journalists in the United States may have to scrimp and save; the median compensation is $31K per year. Medical benefits are awarded to a large number, and the larger part earn dental coverage. Job satisfaction is reported as high by the vast majority of workers. Broadcast Journalists survey participants are largely women, dominating at 61 percent. The figures in this overview were provided by individuals who took PayScale's salary questionnaire.

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

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Job Description for Journalist, Broadcast

Broadcast journalists present news to television viewers and radio listeners. They are hired by local TV and radio outlets and affiliates, or they may work for large, national broadcast entities. These journalists can be anchors, news readers, or reporters, and they usually must have the ability to write and present news stories that are edited for content and meet length requirements.

Broadcast journalists typically work on a story, writing copy and outlines. Trained journalists are aware of the cadence of their speaking voice and adjust the content they present to match that; thus, a journalist presenting a two-minute story knows how much to write to fill in that time period. The journalist collects video and/or audio footage that they can edit for time and content, typically cutting different versions of the same story with different running times so that a news producer can use them as needed and interchangeably. Broadcast journalists' shifts may vary depending on the needs of the employer. They work in offices and studios, and they often perform regular travel as part of their duties.

Typically most broadcast journalists have at least a bachelor's degree in journalism, although occasionally experience can be substituted for education. Expertise within a specific field (such as science reporters or sports anchors) may be required or preferred. In addition to needing writing, reporting, and editing skills that any journalist should have, broadcast journalists need to be confident and presentable on camera or over the radio. Many broadcast journalists work to hone their on-air presentation style and persona.